textproduct: Amarillo

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1110 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

- Hot temperatures continue to hold for the Panhandles with potential to see triple-digit temperatures this afternoon. - Late afternoon and evening thunderstorm chances continue today through Sat night. Severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts cannot be ruled out.

- A dry and hot pattern may return next week with high pressure looking to settle over the Central and Northern Great Plains.

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Friday night) Issued at 1110 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

Hot temperatures under a mid to upper level ridge are expected to continue today and tomorrow. Mid level moisture along with upper level disturbances in the ridge are expected to introduce late afternoon into evening thunderstorm chances. For today though, a bit of negative H7 theta-e advection is progged for the southern TX Panhandle potentially taking away a shot for areas in the southern FA to get any rainfall. For the OK Panhandle and northern TX Panhandle, where better moisture will exist, could potentially see CAPE values upwards of 500-1000 J/Kg. This could allow stronger and higher updrafts to develop and collapse with little shear to work with. This is adding an increased threat for damaging wind gusts compared to last evening. Still not expecting much in way of beneficial rainfall under this pattern. CAMs are looking less excited, especially for counties east of the far western stack of counties in the Panhandles.

While Thursday had previously looked better for PoPs across much of the FA, it is now Friday that is looking to be the better day. Once again, highs are expected to be in the upper 90s with the usual warm spots hitting the 100-104 degree range Friday afternoon. Mid- level moisture is expected to stay in the northern combined Panhandles, pretty much areas north of I-40. This area is expected to have a marginal risk for damaging wind gusts once again as better instability will be for storms to strengthen and unleash a good amount of rain into high DCAPE areas. Shear is expected to be slightly better, however, the hail risk is still in question with such warm temperatures aloft in the middle of summer.

LONG TERM

(Saturday through next Wednesday) Issued at 1110 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

Another round of slight chance to chance PoPs exists Sat night as the pattern continues with subtle variations. Pops drop off after Sat night with a bit of upper level ridge suppression. This will allow the combined Panhandles to come under southeasterly winds at the surface. Leading to increasing Tds and not has high afternoon temperatures Mon into Wed. However, still seeing highs progged in the 90s. Though the NBM is not giving very much in way of PoPs Sunday night onward, would not rule out slight changes in the rain forecast as those days get closer.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1110 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail through much of the period. The caveat is there is a prob30 for thunder at all three terminals after 00Z Friday. Expect southerly winds to prevail with speeds up to 15 gust 25 kts outside of any thunder influence.

AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...None. OK...None.